Happy (almost) New Year! Along with your resolutions to eat healthier and exercise more, new rules, codes and regulations are coming down the pike. For plumbers, the codes and regulations that took effect this time last year are still in effect and will be until 2027.
But HVAC pros will see one major change that is going into effect after the first of the year.
It’s the new EPA mandate to discontinue the use of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, including R-410A, which is the most common refrigerant used in HVAC systems. Systems manufactured during 2025 must use lower GWP refrigerants, called A2L. A2L refrigerants are a class of refrigerants with low toxicity, low flammability, and global warming potential (GWP). The name A2L comes from the ASHRAE safety classification system, where "A" stands for lower toxicity and the "2L" stands for lower flammability.
It’s part of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM), which “aims” to reduce and ultimately phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons, which cause greenhouse gasses.
The regulation prohibits manufacturing of systems containing R-410A and installing them. But, as with everything governmental, there’s a little confusion about that. Manufacturing new systems with R-410A is completely off the table, but HVAC pros can install existing systems with R-410A until this time next year, January 2026.
Some other key points to be aware of:
This is a transition
The whole point is to reduce the environmental impact of these units, not to throw the industry into chaos. Thus the window for installing current systems containing R-410A.
Homeowners can still purchase the older systems
If homeowners or commercial property owners want the older systems containing R-410A, they have every right to purchase them, and you can install them until next year at this time. The components of these older systems and the refrigerant are expected to be available for another dozen years or so.
It impacts commercial and residential systems
The same rules are in effect, whether you’re working with a residential system or a commercial one. All new systems, regardless of type, that are manufactured after Jan. 1, 2025 must use the new low-GWP refrigerants.
Prices will likely go up
Manufacturing costs of new systems with A2L refrigerants are expected to rise, so that cost will trickle down to consumers.
Efficiency will go up, too
The new systems are expected to be more energy efficient than older systems, so even though they might cost a little more upfront, the homeowner’s energy costs will be reduced.
Whether your customers want to go with older systems until next January or newer ones, we’ll have what you need at Goodin!
